In a shocking upset, Panama defeated the United States 1-0 with a stoppage-time winner in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal on Thursday night, ending the USA’s bid for a fourth consecutive title in the competition.
The match, held at SoFi Stadium in California, saw Cecilio Waterman score the decisive goal deep into stoppage time after the U.S. conceded possession in a dangerous area. It was a crushing blow for the Americans, who dominated much of the match but failed to convert their chances.
Panama, who defended resolutely for most of the 90 minutes, capitalized on a rare opportunity to snatch victory and book their place in the Nations League final for the first time.
They will now face Mexico, who defeated Canada 2-0 in the other semifinal, thanks to a brace from Raul Jimenez. The United States, meanwhile, will take on Canada in the third-place playoff.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment after the match, stating, “You need to come here and be better and suffer and win the duels and work hard. If not, it’s not going to be enough.”
This latest defeat adds pressure on the U.S. national team, particularly after a disappointing Copa America campaign last year. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon—set to be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—the team’s focus now shifts to the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, their last opportunity for silverware before the global tournament.
Panama’s remarkable progress and Mexico’s return to form set the stage for an exciting final, while the U.S. is left to reflect on what went wrong.
